Yellow Fever Dream
By TIM DAVID HARVEY
27 Mins. Starring: Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria, Harry Shearer, Patti Harrison & Demi Moore. Screenplay: Carolyn Omie & Kai Omie. Director: Matthew Faughnan. On: Disney +.
Why do birds, suddenly appear, every time, Homer's hairline is near...the forehead he slapped it off with many a DOH!? What seemingly starts off as another shameless clip show segues into a classic concept from the cartoon. Do you know that Curry Barker's 'Obsession', not only one of the biggest and best films of the year, but also of the horror genre, all-time, was originally conceived and inspired by an episode of 'The Simpsons'' legendary, yearly 'Treehouse Of Horror' episodes by the flashlight? Now, the monkey's paw holds up two more fingers for a special episode of 'The Simpsons' called 'Yellow Mirror' that riffs on Charlie Brooker's legendary 'Black Mirror' anthology series of dark, dystopian, futuristic horrors. All as Bart falls through that iconic chalkboard gag to run some new lines.
This Yellow Submarine like trip through the subconscious is the yellow family's sixth exclusive episode on their Evergreen Terrace like streaming service home of Disney +. Not to mention all those shorts and NFL and Fortnite specials. Aaaaaand the fact that the sitcom series is closing in on its 40th year and season. Take that, 'Family Guy!' The last one being their talented take on 'Ripley's' game for the black and white 'Simpsley'. But after more Christmas specials ('O C'mon All Ye Faithful'), Halloween ones ('The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year'), and even a National Geographic spoof for their new neighbours ('Yellow Planet'), this marvel of a what if has more in common with the what could have been in the 'Extreme Makeover: Homer Edition' and the time travel of 'The Past and the Furious', as 'The Simpsons' take on more shows and families.
Directed by Matthew Faughnan, off a screenplay from the Omie's (Carolyn and Kai), the usual, legendary suspects are back (Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria and Harry Shearer) for this 27-minute epiDOHde. But in this special, they are also joined by 'The Substance' of Golden Globe winner, and Oscar nominated icon Demi Moore (in a cool cameo) and the 'Together Together' talent of Patti Harrison as an A.I. overlord lauding over our children's development in the latter reflection of this mirror. A clever concept by the tablet (you should see all the things it sticks and applies itself too), although a little late in the game following 'Toy Story 5's' take on the rise of artificial intelligence with 'Past Lives' and 'Tron: Ares' star Greta Lee's Lilypad. But it's still classic, Trump on an escalator, before its time Simpsons, doh.
It's the first cut that's the deepest, mind you, as Homer gets burnt by a lamp just as touching as the ball bouncing Pixar one. There is sweet sentiments in both halves of these spiritual sci-fi's (like a classic 'Futurama', that is also back as we speak, week-by-week), but the first one has much more epic and emotional stakes. Not to mention, a legendary parody on show creator Matt Groening. In 'The Way We Weren't', Homer hits his head back in high-school in a bathroom stall (remember? Yeah, neither did I, that's what the reruns are for), and the life as he knew it is forever changed. To reveal more would simply spoil the good and meaningful nature of one of the best stories 'The Simpsons' has spun in seasons, treehouses, exclusives, or actual episodes. But there won't be a dry eye on the couch. Going back to that they do best. It's all about love and family, and what that means to you and me. The very reflection of who we are.
Further Filming: 'Simpsley', 'Extreme Makeover: Homer Edition', 'The Past and the Furious'.
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